"Your iPhone needs to update software to connect to your Mac"

Xcode should now be available in the Apple App Store. I know it used to be through a developer account, but it seems to be available to anyone now. It's been so long since I installed it that I don't remember how I did the initial install, but I do update it now through the App Store.

One odd thing about Xcode, you need to install and actually run it to get everything installed. It adds files and extensions the first time it's run after an install or update.

stevesol wrote:

Eureka! I installed Xcode from the Apple App Store and ran it. I plugged in my iPhone and NO ERROR MESSAGE! I didn't really want 12 GB of Xcode on my Mac that I'll never use so I used AppCleaner to delete it. I restarted my computer and STILL NO ERROR MESSAGE!

👍

FYI I already had Xcode installed prior to the onset of this problem. I deleted Xcode and downloaded it again from the App Store. The problem persisted until after launching Xcode which "installed additional components", after which the problem disappeared.

There was no need to restart the Mac.

To delete Xcode just drag its app icon to the Trash in accordance with How to uninstall apps on your Mac - Apple Support. There is no need to use any third party "cleaning" app. Those things often cause trouble.

I surmise that whatever eventually fixes the problem will be provided by the software update that downloads upon clicking the Install button in your screenshot. In other words, not a macOS or iOS update.

The reason for my suspicion is that the same "Can't install the software" dialog (below) appears on Macs running long outdated operating systems, including Macs that never communicated with that iPhone in the past.

I spoke to them several times over a couple of hours last week and they were of no help whatsoever. It's definitely a macOS 12.6 issue and doesn't actually stop iPhones being backed up, it's just very annoying. Noticed it first with my 12 Pro running iOS 16 and now it also happens with 14 Pro running iOS 16.0.1

I’ve been trying to restore an iPhone 12 Pro that’s going to be my work phone all day and every time I lock the restore button the dialogue box to install the software pops up. I say not now it all start’s over again.

Instead of pressing the "Restore iPhone" button next to the "Check for Update" button, have you tried scrolling down and using the "Restore Backup" button below "Back Up Now"? Assuming you have a previous backup to use - worked for me.

Sorry to hear that, but definitely fixed at my end in the UK - I did absolutely nothing to achieve that so in the absence of a provable deity, I'm crediting Apple (though it shouldn't have happened in the first place).

I ran into this with my iPhone 12 (IOS 16.0.0 and 16.0.2) connecting to my iMac (Monterey 12.6). Most solutions say update iTunes on my computer, but I don't have iTunes any longer in Monterey.

The fix I found after some searching was to update and open XCode. Odd, I know.

Most excellent. It's nice to know that you don't need to keep Xcode if you don't need it after the fix. It is a big app.

I've used AppCleaner and App Uninstaller to delete various apps.

Finally, my iMac is an M1. That may matter.

Just got off the phone with Apple Support and after gathering log information and send it to them I mentioned the Xcode thing that someone above mentioned (Sorry to lazy to go look through the thread). While they were still on the call and viewing my screen I installed Xcode plugged in the phone and the problem was gone "POOF". I then uninstalled Xcode by using the trashcan method and it still worked. There must be something that is residual left by Xcode fixing the problem.

Apparently the 16.0.3 update contains several bug fixes and one bug.

I still have Xcode installed because I use it from time to time. I just updated my iPhone 12 mini to 16.0.3. I connected it again to my M1 iMac running Monterey 12.6 and still got no update warning message. For me the fix remains fixed.